Broncos QB Paxton Lynch is finally healthy enough to play

With starter Brock Osweiler recovering from a shoulder injury, Broncos second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch took first-team reps at practice Wednesday. Osweiler is expected to be ready to start against the Bengals on Sunday, and Denver is still deciding if Lynch or Trevor Siemian will be his backup.

“Right now, that’s being determined,” coach Vance Joseph said after practice. “We gave Paxton [more] reps today to kind of see where he’s at with his shoulder. He did fine. He threw the ball fine today.”

Joseph said the team will decide by the end of the week who will be its No. 2 QB against Cincinnati. He also confirmed that Lynch is healthy enough to play if needed.

As for Lynch, he’s eager to get back to playing after a lengthy injury.

“I’m excited,” Lynch said. “I know Brock is the guy this week. I’m doing everything I have to do to support him. Being in the position I am in, that’s what I’m going to do. Just moving forward, I’m just taking it day by day and week by week.”

If the Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs in the coming weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Lynch start Denver’s final games of the 2017 season.